Pacquiao last fought in July when he lost his welterweight world title a highly controversial unanimous decision to Jeff Horn in Brisbane, Australia.

A rematch between Pacquiao and Horn was initially slated for Nov. 12 at Suncorp Stadium but was forced to withdraw as a result of his senatorial duties.

Instead, Horn will defend his world title against the little known Gary Corcoran on Dec. 13 and could take on one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the sport, Terence Crawford, in March.

Crawford (32-0, 23 KO's), 30, has won world titles in two different weight classes and is moving up to 147-pounds. In August, he knocked out Julius Indongo with a lethal left-hand to the body in the third round, becoming just the third fighter of the four-belt era to unify all of the titles.

Crawford has for years tried to get a fight with Pacquiao but has been unsuccessful. Negotiations for Pacquiao's upcoming opponent are ongoing.